Inhaler: Open Wide – the new era of Inhaler is here 

Inhaler; we know the score by now. Commanders of the nepo-baby debate in music, generals of the vibrant Dublin music scene, loyal servants to that glamorous indie rock and roll. A frontman who’s the son to a king of rock, imaginary boyfriend to a million fangirls. But is that where the story ends?  Following their first two full releases, the pandemic plagued It Won’t Always Be Like This (2021) and sophomore outing Cuts and Bruises (2023), the Irish four-piece have released their latest project Open Wide (2025), a passion driven exploration into love, authenticity and what the creation of music means to them. 

With two albums under their belts, Inhaler could seem set in their groove. Pick a country and they could sell out a show there, pick a song and they can play it to a rowdy and rambunctious crowd that will sing it back to them, ask them to pick a lane and a problem arises. For an artist finding ‘their sound’ is no mean feat, but one would argue that being defined by a sound and being able to subvert that in an appealing, necessary and logical way is a much meaner one (see the parting of Arctic Monkeys fans like the red sea following the conceptual Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino (2018)). Nevertheless, Inhaler have taken a deep breath (too on the nose?) and strove for this album to represent their genuine selves, even if that means outgrowing their indie-rock roots. It’s evident the group have shed their skin with this album and embraced the pop elements that encapsulate so many of their greater qualities – the infectious melodies, the catchy hook, the screamable chorus, and to call a spade a spade – this is a pop-rock album. Gone is the very loosely tied label of indie (I mean how independent can you be when signed to Polydor records), with Inhaler striving to break free from any chains being recognised as an “indie band” might thrust upon them. 

The album opens with ‘Eddie in the Darkness’- who Eddie is and what he is doing in the darkness is still unclear, but at the very least he mimics the slew of Inhaler fans entering this album in the dark. Following a series of single releases – none of which the same, all of which noticeable deviations from the band’s pre-established formula, fans were left to wonder what had become of the Irish rockers. Whilst the album is a stark departure from the quartet’s first album outing It Won’t Always Be Like This (2021), ‘Eddie in the Darkness’ eases listeners into the change, still containing notes of the Inhaler fans fell in love with a glam-rock twist, gearing them up for what is to come and as such it becomes the crux of this new era. 

If Inhaler has always known how to do one thing, it’s how to etch a catchy tune onto the grooves of your brain that infects every subsequent thought and shower concert you have (if my housemates are reading this, I can only apologise). ‘Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah)’ and ‘A Question of You’ in particular wrap strings around your arms and legs with their shimmering guitar riffs and punchy drumbeats, puppeteering you into a bop regardless of your setting. Similarly, choruses of ‘Concrete’ and ‘Little Things’ could coax out the voice of those most quiet and scale it to the size of a choir. The groove is well and truly alive throughout the album – taking a life of its own, a life perhaps given by collaboration with Kid Harpoon. The British producer of Harry’s House (2022) fame was given the trust of Inhaler and tasked with translating their lofty pop dreams of authenticity and groove into a tight 13 track album. His influence is palpable, with several songs coming straight from his catalogue of synth-pop mega-tunes designed for the biggest stages. 

Elijah Hewson really pushes his vocal performance, squeezing every drop out of his vast vocal range, less so in the classic sense of pushing his upper limit – but instead displaying a lower timber which compliments the building verses on many a track. Drummer Ryan McMahon gives a rhythmic and tight performance which bassist Robert Keating builds upon with his bold and striking basslines. Ultimately though Josh Jenkinson, lead guitarist of the band, is the absolute standout. His lead sections ebb and flow – calling out to the listeners at exactly the right moments without overpowering the symbiosis of the final product. He is a true chameleon, dancing between genres and sifting through rhythms; with country-infused riffs on songs like ‘X-Ray’ and much funkier melodies on tracks like ‘A Question Of You’. 

This album, beyond its sonic characteristics can be defined by love- a word synonymous with Inhaler some might say. Their first ever single, ‘I Want You’, an obvious tale of youthful love, my personal favourite track of theirs, ‘Love Will Get You There’, an homage to the importance of intimacy, and their fans, well loving would be a bloody understatement (Pre-gig queueing is scheduled to be added to the next Olympics as an endurance event thanks to their questionably motivated efforts). The band’s latest outing is no different with love being the key tenant of most songs. The lyrical direction of the album has devotion and adoration brimming at the surface and there’s an easy thread of passion to follow throughout the project, giving listeners an immediate and heartfelt connection to the songs. ‘Your House’ and ‘The Charms’ in particular capture this passion in their lyrics- calling out to many a hopeless romantic who may be hearing this album in (a potentially) bleak mid-February. 

Open Wide (2025) depicts Inhaler at the peak of their powers. Gone is that youthful naivety of an accused nepo-baby indie band and in its place – a charismatic and poised pop-rock authenticity that serves as a statement of intent. A statement of intent of a band who have cultivated their sound and are ready to show it off on the biggest stage.  Prying the love of that good ol’ indie music from the tight grips of the wild diehard Inhaler fan is no easy feat, but the Dublin four-piece have dug their claws in and ripped the arms of their legion of admirers open wide, ready to embrace their new era. 

Written by Dan Brown

How did we get to the edge of the world? Brooke Combe in interview  

For an artist, finding their sound can be as difficult a task as any, but through returning to her roots, embracing her authenticity and having an innate ability for contemporary soul songwriting, Brooke Combe has irrefutably defined herself as a must hear. Ahead of the release of her debut album, Dancing At The Edge Of The World, I chatted with Combe to delve deeper into the album’s meaning, her songwriting process and just how we got to the edge of the world in the first place.  

Immediately the apocalyptic title grabs you and pulls you in, with the story of its origin mimicking the authenticity Combe displays across the album.  

“There was a book that my producer James Skelly was reading about Marilyn Monroe’s life, and someone described Marilyn as so beautiful, she seemed like she was dancing on the edge of the world. James brought that to me, and I thought “at” was better and pretty fitting for what I was going through at Island Records because I finally felt free, and the chains were gone, giving me full artistic freedom. So yeah, it just felt very fitting for that time. It’s quite beautiful.”  

The shedding of skin is evident from the prelude to the final note of the title track closer, but this newfound Brooke Combe is not so newfound for Combe herself.  

“It’s been recorded for a year now. We did it last January so I’m just desperate for people to hear it, have their opinions on it and I’ve already got album two on the brain now.”  

Looking to the future is where Combe thrives, with the final single for the album ‘This Town’ being an anthem for small town dreamers who just can’t be contained. An infectious guitar riff and painfully genuine lyricism play their parts in a contemporary soul masterpiece, which channels the voice of Dalkeith’s finest.  

“For a few years my manager was asking me to try and write a song about home and he wanted it to have Scottish characteristics or something personal like a street name near mine and I was struggling with that, it just didn’t feel right at the time. Then when the album was almost finished, we still needed more types of tunes. My producer gave me some chords, I didn’t love them, but there were a few chords in the progression that I thought could work, so I started messing about and noodling on that. Then, I got on my girls group chat going, “Right girls what do you think about the boys from Dalkeith” and they came back with, “spice boys, still living with their mum, sun beds” and things like that and I basically just put it all together and it just worked.”  

As glowing as these character references are for the men of Dalkeith, comfort can be found by them in knowing they’re immortalised in as catchy a song as you can find. The track is indebted to Combe’s time in Dalkeith, a debt repaid by Combe returning to the streets of her hometown to film the single’s music video.  

“It was bittersweet. I’m proud to be Scottish and I’m proud to be from where I’m from. I think being from a small town shapes you in a lot of ways and gives you a lot of different ambitions that maybe somebody in a city might not have. I also don’t want the people where I’m from thinking that I hate them, so we were trying to find that balance and I think we smashed that. It was very low budget and felt small town.”  

Combe’s pride in her roots is apparent, both in her words in this interview and the authenticity she lets shine in her music. Whilst her passions and drive led her to make that jump out of Scotland, her music remains a constant irrespective of geography.  

[In response to ‘is your songwriting affected by your location?’] “I’ll be honest, I think not really. I’m pretty much somebody who just goes for what they’re feeling in the moment. I like being at home [Dalkeith] because there’s a lot more space i.e. field, forestry, reservoirs, the lot. So, I like having my downtime to give me the headspace to think about what kind of songs I want to write. The last project was very circumstantial the way I wrote that in terms of it being about what my dad was going through and seeing him go through struggles. I think it will be interesting this year as I’m hoping to buy a house in Liverpool so it will be interesting to see how my circumstances play into that.”  

The emotional principles Combe has used to craft her sound are cultivated both in isolation with her guitar and collaboration in the studio, allowing her to balance both emotionally deep lyrics and incredibly groovy melodies. When asked on the role of both, she had this to say:  

“I think musically its quite 50-50, actually maybe not 50-50, maybe 60-40, but it is the music which gives it that soul and funkiness. We recorded it as a live band like how all my favourite old bands from Motown did it so that creates the sound. On top of that, I think with the songwriting, specifically on songs like ‘This Town’, I tried to write it more souly with the groove and lyrics, whereas with a song like ‘Dancing At The Edge Of The World’ I wouldn’t necessarily say the melody or lyrics [are funky]- but you can put them into soul. It’s more the track that comes with it being sort of cinematic.”  

This sonic prowess has helped craft a variety of tunes across the album all with their own edge, however there is one which Combe is particularly eager to give to the masses.  

“The song is called ‘Butterfly’. It goes into escapism; the good, the bad, the ugly, plus it was a completely different writing style for me. My vocals don’t sound like me basically, I’m using a lot more of my top voice, my falsetto, so I’m really really excited for people to hear it.”  

Whilst the album is a brilliant trip down the avenue that is modern soul, Combe refuses to be defined by her production alone, boasting a stellar knack for live performance. This ability has already led her to play some of Leeds’ biggest stages such as Leeds Festival in 2022, O2 academy and her personal favourite, a sold-out Brudenell.  

“On the tour, we had to reschedule that show, as when we first got there and set up my agents said they didn’t want me to sing out of fear I’d mess up my voice [due to strains she had at the time] and so we had to cancel. So, we rescheduled and came back and that left us in the old room on this tiny stage, but it was class. The fans and the crowd were just great.”  

Combe returns to Leeds in April to play Project House on her Dancing At The Edge Of The World tour and her debut album of the same name comes out January 31st. 

Written by Dan Brown

Back in The City: Live at Leeds Returns

Close your eyes and think back to mid-November. What were you doing on a Saturday? Most likely sleeping in? Shielding from the cold? Resting up from a weary week? Not me. I was striding from venue to venue, catching 10 different live music acts across a 12-hour span whilst furiously taking notes on all and proving to myself just how unfit I’ve gotten with every 15-minute sprint between sets. You’re probably wondering why I was undertaking such an adventure; I’m wondering how you read that paragraph with your eyes closed, you freak of nature?!?!? Either you have supremely thin eyelids or failed to follow my directions, either way, your attitude stinks and you can leave it at the door of this article. For I was doing this for Live at Leeds in the City, the wonderful one-day marathon of a music festival which I had the honour of covering with Head of Photography Bella Wright. Albeit exhausting, Live at Leeds in the City was a spectacle, a true celebration of the talent pool that is the rising music scene across the UK, and as such I intend to regurgitate my thoughts of the day onto this article with all the glitz and glamour that made up the festival. For that I need you to imagine (eyes open of course this time) and attempt to feel every strobe light, every guitar strum and every shoulder tackle from a gentleman who has just lobbed his pint into the air, liberated by his favourite indie-rock bands distorted riffs. This was Live at Leeds in the City.

The day began with intimate and vulnerable sets from Oliver Pinder and Talia Rae. Our humble beginnings at the Doghouse and Headrow House tapered our appetites and eased us into the fray of ringing ears and aching achilles. The passionate vocal beauty on display lit the musical fire in our bellies, driving us on in our quest for festival immortality. Our hunger led us to The Key Club for a midday set from a new band on the scene, Soft Launch. Their set had it all; catchy key riffs, band members swapping instruments like a game of hot potato and passionately free dance moves that the compact Key Club stage could hardly handle. Whilst their early set seemed tough to top, the best was yet to come.

Image Credit: Bella Wright

By now the line between hunger for music and sustenance had been blurred. Due to dangerously bloated queues and overwhelming time pressure, our dreams of nourishment in the form of Belgrave pizza were snuffed out (haunted, harrowed and ultimately hangry relieving this trauma). We pushed on in the spirit of hometown pride to see Leeds’ own L’Objectif, who despite recent changes to their lineup gave a seamless post-punk-infused masterclass. Boasting a live crispness most bands travel far and wide to obtain, the hometown four-piece displayed a variety of great tunes rather early into their career that left me hungry for more (no pun not intended… I still yearn for that pizza). Several binge-listens later and I can proudly call myself a L’Objectif fan post Live at Leeds.

No pizza? No problem. As any self-respecting university student will understand, Greggs was there for us in our darkest hour. Fueled by the spirit of the north, we arrived at The Gryphon’s home turf: Stylus Leeds University Union. Rising indie starlets Overpass were next in our sights. Contrary to popular belief, this article being released a month after the festival not out of journalistic laziness, but because I was waiting for my Spotify Wrapped to reveal Overpass’ ‘Beautiful’ as my top song of the year. With this blatant favouritism in mind, I can tell you the Birmingham band gave a performance of pure indie bliss to a clamouring fan base. Frontman Max Newbold’s longing voice was reflected by countless adoring followers, and the buzz in the room was telling of the bright future that the Midlands four-piece are on the road towards.

Image Credit: Bella Wright

We next began the march out west to Brudenell. Young band The Guest List was our objective, and whilst their technical prowess was evident, their lesser experience failed to match some of the brilliance on show at this festival. They have the makings of something special, and I still eagerly await to see what the future holds for them, but they have a little way to go. Still, they are grafting and paying their dues on support slots as all young bands must and it is clear they will return soon much higher on the bill should they continue on their path.

Back to the city centre, rife with exhaustion. The special sets we’d dreamed of seeing were right ahead of us, in anticipation I could see the lights (upon further review this could just have been hallucinations from the lack of oxygen courtesy of our hasty speed walking).  Mercury Prize winners, and Leeds homecomers, English Teacher were set to be a spectacle after toppling the regime of London-exclusive winners that has spanned a decade. The spirit of the Leeds music scene was packed into the Beckett Student Union, feverishly fervid as the crowd brimmed. The punchy bass riffs ebbed and flowed amongst both heavy guitars and tender percussion, and the ever-present crowd played a big part in raising frontman Lily Fontaines’ poetic lyrics upon the shoulders of Yorkshire pride. Potentially the epitome of what support for grassroots music can create, English Teacher’s brilliance really represented what this festival is all about and I’ll be damned if I don’t express my excitement for what they come up with next.

Image Credit: Bella Wright

Another 15-minute jog 8 hours into the day now (thank God we’re passionate about live music otherwise my hamstrings would’ve given way by now). Act 8 of the day was a brief yet divine view of Stone’s frontman crowd surfing their final track and whilst we didn’t catch their full set, my heart was contempt with this holy visual. Our actual reason for returning to Stylus once more was The Royston Club, a personal favourite band of mine and for all intents and purposes THE rising stars in the indie guitar scene. Playing to a rowdy and rambunctious crowd, The Royston Club rattled off unreleased tracks and fan favourites alike (along with a supremely well-received ‘Disco 2000’ cover). The tight guitar riffs and gut-wrenching harmonies had even the most stoic of dark fruits music enjoyers swooning for the Welsh wonders. The Wrexham quartet are the next big thing, that I can say unequivocally, and despite this being my sixth viewing of them, my excitement never wavers. See them before the crowds become masses, the ticket prices become extortionate, and the bandwagon is overburdened with diehard indie fans. 

Exhausted, we reached The Wardrobe where Lime Garden’s immaculate stage presence and wonderfully vibrant tunes breathed new life into our night.  They exuded confidence and pride in their music which was second to none throughout the day. Their gorgeous blend of indie pop, disco and surf melodies almost took a form of their own and jived around the room on my behalf (my legs had now given way, but my soul had never been more at ease). Their infectious performance drew a day of music mastery to a close.

Image Credit: Bella Wright

Many festivals often are forced to choose between quality or quantity for their lineups. Live at Leeds in the City 2024 refused to play this cruel gauntlet the music overlords throw down. At any moment it felt as though we were to be thrown off our planned schedule, we could seek refuge in the nearest venue and find a hidden gem. Whilst this did not occur, due to mine and Bella’s supreme cardiovascular ability, sheer determination and a good chunk of luck, the acts we handpicked to catch in advance did not disappoint in the slightest. Live at Leeds in the City 2024 was a true depiction of how magnificent the upcoming music scene in the UK is today and my calendar will be marked for next year’s marathon.

Words by Dan Brown

Been Stellar: Scream from Brudenell, LDS

Late as per. I march furiously down Hyde Park Road on my path to Brudenell Social Club, my footsteps mimicking the beat of the pulsating rainfall. Cars stream by, spewing water back at me
in protest of my appropriation of their drive. There’s something artistic about the damp
November night. Not artistic like the techno-jazz fusion project some guy at a pretentious
cocktail bar told you he’s conducting out of his student home basement, artistic like the
contemporary cacophony of a bustling New York City street. Like the New York City streets that
have inspired the alt-rock troupe Been Stellar. Convoluted analogies aside, there’s a beauty to be
seen in trudging through the maze that is Hyde Park, undeterred by rainfall, motivated by a
craving for live music. A craving for music that has been ever-growing since my recent
overindulgence at Live at Leeds in the City, a craving that had left my heart empty and my ears
bereft, a craving that Been Stellar were ready to satisfy.


That was the night’s objective, New York’s latest passion project Been Stellar. No- not the bloke
from Zoolander, although likeness to the name has been recognized by the band themselves,
Been Stellar are an alt-rock/indie/dream-pop/shoegazey/god why are there so many damn
genres??? five-piece band fighting out of New York City. Touring their debut album Scream
from New York, NY released this June, the five-piece have touched ground in the UK and after
being given the chance to see them live I snapped my editor’s hand off. Been Stellar by name
Been Stellar by nature, as my listening experience of them thus far has been well… Stellar, but
could they do it on a cold, rainy night in Leeds?


Trading New York for Yorkshire, the Manhattan musicians stood tall on the hallowed Brudenell
community room stage, the famed golden ribbons as their backdrop. The crowd filled the room,
initially far from rowdy, standing stagnant and proud with their pints of iridescent fluid. Their
stale demeanour would eventually fall, but Stellar had their work cut out for them. The band’s
entrance was subdued, reserved, quietly confident. They needed no party tricks nor guises to
make their point. They simply launched into their tightly crafted set, knowing they had
something special.


This tightness gave a crisp live edge to their brilliant music, accentuating the terrific roughness
of their sound, dragging in the static crowd for early songs ‘Passing judgement’ and the title
track of their debut Scream from New York, NY. There is a wonderful dread Been Stellar’s
music creates. There’s this giddy anxiety that arises in the pit of your stomach from Slocum’s
harsh lead vocals crashing against the gritty racket the entire band creates. You hang on to every
word, every note, every growl down the microphone. The raw and rowdy melodies build and
build, trepidatious yet intoxicating, and then; nil. The respite brings clarity and the grip is
relinquished, leaving you grief-stricken over the tunes that once were, mimicking the snarky
past-tense nature of the band’s name all too well.


‘Manhattan Youth’ provided a lovely levity, a welcome exception to this rule. After the barrage of
the opening songs, the bouncier and more vibrant track was the final nail in shattering the
audience’s stoic facade, freeing them to bask in the sound. Guards were lowered and Been
Stellar had the crowd in the palm of their hand, without the need to muddy the set with
speeches between songs as so many bands do. Whilst I do typically enjoy the musical fourth wall break that is artists waffling to the crowd, I didn’t miss it with Been Stellar, leaving their
presence shrouded in their music only added to their tight, precise and premium sounding set.

In the metaphorical toolbox of artists, there is arguably no handier tool than understanding how
to craft a set list and knowing the lull would arrive not long after the halfway point, the
American quintet course corrected and pulled out a stretch of more dream-pop infused
numbers. Personal favourites of mine ‘Pumpkin’ and ‘Takedown’ were standouts, receiving a
very Northern, “they really are cracking these mon” from my journalistic partner in crime (my
sister who fancied a cheeky Monday night Brude trip). Welcome to England my friends.


Having caged the beast long enough, the five-piece unleashed their heavier sound to ring around
the rafters as they closed their show. ‘I Have the Answer’ drew what was a definitively Stellar live
performance to a close (semantic satiation has fully gotten a hold of stellar now my apologies). I
re-emerged onto the dreary Hyde Park streets, heart filled, ears ringing and musical cravings
perfectly satisfied. Been Stellar, you are thanked for your service! And reader, you are
encouraged to listen to the New York phenoms as soon as bloody possible.

Words by Dan Brown.

Live At Leeds in the City: Ones to Watch 

Dan Brown breaks down the best acts to see this weekend at Live At Leeds in the city 2024!

It’s that time of year again, Live at Leeds in the City has rolled around and the talent on show is bountiful. 150+ acts, 17 venues and 1 tremendous day of music, it’s almost too much for the weary travelling gig enthusiast. If only there was an amateur journalist to highlight the hottest acts around Leeds come November 16th

The Royston Club

In my self-deprecating quarrels with my mirror over my blaring lack of coolness I often bump up against the tattoolessness nature of my skin. This is out of fear of me changing tastes quicker than I am kicked off of the aux at pre-drinks (what do you mean you don’t want to hear never-ending Strokes tunes before we go to a disco club?). Nevertheless, if there was a tattoo that I could get without fear it would be one across my forehead that says, “See The Royston Club at Live at Leeds in the City 2024!” – you will thank me (and my forever branded forehead) later.

Song Recommendation: ‘I’m a Liar’

LaL Set: 19:45-20:45 – Stylus

English Teacher  

Fresh off winning the 2024 Mercury Prize, English Teacher are set for a mega homecoming. Surrealist post-punk anthems held up by a prideful hometown crowd; English Teacher’s early evening set is the place to be. Lessons will be learned in the pit.  

Song recommendation: ‘R&B’

LaL Set: 18:45-19:30 – Leeds Beckett Student Union

Overpass

If there’s two things in this world I love from Birmingham, it’s Jude Bellingham circa the 95th minute of England vs Slovakia in the 2024 euros, and indie-rock four-piece Overpass (apologies to my two Birmingham born housemates who did not quite make the cut). Magic guitar riffs and stellar lead vocals. Overpass are the full package.

Song recommendation: ‘Beautiful’

LaL Set: 16:00-16:45 – Stylus

Balancing Act

An alternative title for this article with the sheer amount of talent to juggle seeing at this festival. If you plan to stay cityside and minimise your running throughout the day, it would be a crime not to catch Balancing Act at The Wardrobe. Hot on the heels of their latest EP Tightropes and Limericks (2024), their electric sound will win you over quicker than you can say “I’m not trekking all the way to Brudenell”.

Song recommendation: ‘She Plays The Theremin’

LaL Set: 17:15-17:45 – The Wardrobe

Swim School 

It’s times like these that I’m glad my artistic medium is the written word, otherwise when describing Edinburgh’s Swim School I would undoubtedly attempt a very poor and more than likely offensive Scottish accent. Fortunately, I am saved from myself and am free to tell you that the emphatic rock three-piece is bound to give a top-tier performance filled with passion, prowess and poise.  

Song recommendation: ‘Seeing it now’

Lal Set: 20:00-20:45 – The Key Club

Basht

Yes, I don’t expect you to have heard of them. No, I don’t think I’m cool and different for knowing them. Double yes – you should see them before word of their existence gets out. With only 10k monthly listeners, it’s only a matter of time before the supremely talented Basht are playing their grungier indie guitar gigs on the big stage.

Song recommendation: ‘Gone Girl’

LaL set: 19:30-20:00 – Leeds Beckett Student Union

Soft Launch

With a lovely 1pm set at key club, fresh new band on the scene Soft Launch is the perfect way to ease into the city and soft launch your day at Live at Leeds (get it… cause that’s their na- never mind).

Song recommendation: ‘In My Bed’

LaL Set: 13:00-13:30 – The Key Club

Esmerelda Road

Not everyone can support Liam Gallagher and win over a crowd (see my previous Inhaler article and subsequent slagging off of Liam’s sons band Villanelle) but that’s exactly what new saxophone-infused Irish indie band Esmerelda Road did this summer. Powerful is one word that comes to mind from their music. Don’t believe me? Go and see for yourself.

Song recommendation: ‘I Think’

LaL Set: 16:00-16:30 – Hyde Park Book Club

Eszter Vida

The true sleeper pick of the whole festival, Eszter Vida is bringing her ethereal sounds to The Doghouse. If I wasn’t a penniless psychology student and investing in artists wasn’t just a metaphorical term, I’d buy 100 shares in Eszter Vida’s sound. Alas, the only thing I have that is worth its weight in gold are my words, which encourage – no, urge – you to catch Eszter Vida this November.

Song recommendation: ‘Sour’

LaL Set: 19:00-19:30 – Doghouse Bar & Bagel Shop

Big Sleep

Never has a band been so improperly named. Big Sleep are anything but a bore and being another band who have a full new release of songs added to their arsenal with their fantastic latest EP Stay Put Sunshine (2024), the Dublin quartet is bound to set Brudenell alight.

Song recommendation: ‘Two Cents’

LaL Set: 14:30-15:00 – Brudenell Social Club

L’objectif

If the chic style of Belgrave is more your speed, homegrown L’objectif are a midday must on your schedule. The ferocious post-punk tunes from a hungry young band have formed the basis of a top-notch live set. Pair that with the stylistic Belgrave setting and you’re in for one hell of a show that epitomises what the Leeds music scene is all about.

Song recommendation: ‘Feeling down’

Lal Set: 15:00-15:30 – Belgrave Music Hall

Lime Garden

My pick to end the night, Lime Garden are a brilliant blend of indiepop, disco and surf melodies along with lyrical mastery. On top of this there’s the bonus of them performing at the Wardrobe, ending just 15 minutes before the Live at Leeds afterparty at the same venue. Hear some wonderful music and then dance the night away, what more could you want?

Song recommendation: ‘Pop Star’

LaL set: 21:45-22:45 – The Wardrobe

Tickets still available for students at discounted price here!

Take a Deep Breath: Inhaler are Back 

Daniel Brown explores whether the foundation to Dublin indie-rock outfit Inhaler is built on entwined nepotistic roots or due to their personal curated talent.

Cryptic video messages, purifying online presence to a near vapid state of nothing, teasing clues to get a cult following excited.  Believe it or not I am not describing a poorly written comic book movie pseudo serial killer with a clan of faceless, nondescript goons, I am in fact referring to Inhaler – the indie pop rock 4-piece who have teased the release of their third studio album.

The group removed all content from their Instagram page earlier this year to wipe their slate clean ahead of a new area after the success of their sophomore album, ‘Cuts and Bruises’. A talented group of young musicians, a plethora of modern guitar bangers and a clamouring fan base, this band has the world at its feet, but is the legion of diehard fans they’ve accumulated throughout the release of two studio albums a representation of magnificent music or has their fame been garnered in a nepotistic nature? 

Image Credit: @lewsvans

Hailing from Blackrock, Dublin, Inhaler are a major outfit in the current indie rock scene, with a cult-following and an impressive body of work they’re about to add to. Composed of bassist Robert Keating, drummer Ryan Mcmahon, lead guitarist Josh Jenkinson and most notably for this article, lead singer Elijah Hewson, son of supremely famous frontman Bono of U2 fame. If you don’t know who Bono is then I implore you to do a speedy google search of “Bono controversy” and allow the sheer volume of debates over debacles to envelope you and consume your free time whole as you scour over the hilariously split public opinion of him. Failing that, you could ask any family member over 40 about his existence and I’m sure they’ll have a certain outlook on the man. Regardless of society’s views, Bono is a big name in the music industry whatever way you slice it, and thus by the power of mother nature herself Elijah Hewson and Inhaler are privy to some heinous accusations from some of the greatest musical critics’ planet Earth has to offer (pretentious indie music snobs who haven’t a shred of musical ability themselves). 

Blanket statements are often difficult in such debates of nepotism, with every case having its own nuances, but I’m going to make one right off the bat in order get my point across and more importantly out of fear any of my sarcasm won’t come across in writing. I am a big fan of Inhaler’s music; I think it is top notch indie rock, and their live performances are praised highly. They’ve played massive support slots and not looked out of place and undoubtedly have a big future ahead of them. 

But Dan, if you think their music is good then what does it matter if the band’s lead singer’s dad is the lead singer of my dad’s favourite band? (how’s that for a tongue twister). Fantastic question imaginary reader I am making up to segue into my next point. To me the matter of nepo babies isn’t as black and white as to check a birth certificate and immediately proceed to slag off the offspring of some rich white dude. I am of the volition that in music (on the whole) cream rises to the top, and similarly once at the top it is sink or swim, should a band get put on a pedestal and be shite for lack of a better term, they won’t succeed. To see Inhaler reach the release of two critically well-received albums and a handful of UK and American tours and be poised to only go higher shows the musical ability at the very least in the lane of their genre. As simple as it would make my job to end the article at that, it wouldn’t make for a very good read, thus we shall delve a little deeper. 

Inhaler. Image Credit: @lewsvans

The prevailing argument for the pessimistic music listeners of the world is that Inhaler are led by a definitive nepo baby and regardless of musical ability they would always get to the top via Bono’s fame alone. For those readers who aren’t entirely up to date on industry lingo, or have never heard of the Kardashians, a “nepo-baby” is someone who got their career on the basis of their family’s pre-established fame, clout and pedigree. Basically, picture Bono essentially calling every producer in the phonebook and willing Inhaler into existence. However, if you look past these blind accusations, you’ll find Inhaler formed at school, albeit a private one, in 2012, 6 years prior to the release of their first piece of music, a 6 year period in which they spent gigging at small venues for which they weren’t booked in order to hone their craft. Ergo they weren’t slapped together overnight. When a band can perform as tightly as Inhaler and craft tunes as great as theirs then it’s entirely plausible that 6 years of gigging and practice would be more than enough to hit the ground running with music releases. 

Whilst Inhaler’s music is top notch, I can’t blindly ignore the opportunities they’ve got. They all attended a fine private school and so the non-existent struggles they will have faced over access to instruments, gear and practice space leave little to the imagination. Furthermore, ahead of the release of their debut album ‘It won’t always be like this’ they received major press opportunities, with major names such as NME interviewing them early doors and even having a major feature on (trigger warning) James Corden’s Late Late show. The album certainly deserved coverage, it’s a personal favourite debut of mine, but it received one hell of a spotlight when most in their field barely get candlelight, and of course it prompts questions of what role did their connection to Bono play in this. 

Inhaler. Image Credit: @lewsvans on Instagram

In keeping with my potent distaste for my hometown, I like to believe that where you come from doesn’t define you – a sentiment it would seem me and Elijah Hewson have in common albeit for massively different reasons. When watching any Inhaler interview where Bono is mentioned, it becomes blaringly apparent that the band’s frontman doesn’t revel in comparisons to his father. Often cringing at the mention of his old man, Hewson has a habit of quickly changing the topic or dismissing Bono’s influence. This is another key point to consider, individuality, or lack thereof. Yes, Hewson is the son of a successful frontman, yes, he will have had an affluent upbringing and access to a plethora of opportunities, but he’s carving out his own lane. Not as much can be said for Villanelle frontman and son of Liam Gallagher, Gene Gallagher. 

Earlier this year I caught exciting, upcoming and one of my personal favourite indie bands Overpass live at beloved Leeds venue Brudenell Social Club. As any avid concert goer does, I was eager to investigate the support acts in my never-ending quest for new music that I can claim in the name of Dan before they reach even mild popularity. Howbeit, my lofty goals were snuffed by a band Villanelle who were supporting this tour amongst several other big tours in the indie scene despite having no music released. Upon their taking to the stage with pompous swagger and a frontman clad in high-viz, there was an air of familiarity in their mannerisms, most notably the aforementioned illuminous frontman. As songs began to be rattled off, I distinctively recall turning to my comrade in the pits of the audience and like a great scholar profoundly exclaiming, “bloody hell this bloke reckons he’s Liam Gallagher, doesn’t he?”. The kicker of this story and point of this bloated tangent was that this was indeed Liam Gallagher’s son, Gene, and the mere performance of 3 songs was enough to unmask his true identity like a Scooby-Doo villain. Getting back on track, whilst Gene Gallagher has decided on using a Liam Gallagher Lite stage presence and even supported Liam over the summer despite having a non-existent catalogue of music, Elijah Hewson went undetected as Bono’s genetic successor in my showing of Inhaler live performances to various U2 fanatic family members of mine.  

Therein lies my point, Inhaler are their own entity. They may have had money growing up, inside knowledge of what it takes to make it and a powerful father figure, but who in the music industry nowadays hasn’t? Inhaler make great music, I can’t express that enough, but if you need all your music to be locally sourced, grass fed and fairtrade to allow it to pass through your ears then maybe they aren’t for you and that’s alright, but their talent is undeniable. So, to put a fine point on the question of are Inhaler are nothing more than wide eyed nepo babies? I don’t care. I continue to eagerly await their third studio album release and recommend any indie music fans do the same.

Words by Daniel Brown.